Folarin Balogun will miss Belgium clash due to red card
While the knockout stages of the World Championship are underway, political processes off the pitch are shaking the football world more than the matches on it. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
At the center of attention are Folarin Balogun, forward of the United States national team, and Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA. We explain the development of events that caused a major scandal in clear language for fans.
The main issue is that in the round of 16 of the World Cup, the U.S. national team took the field against Bosnia and Herzegovina. In that match, team forward Folarin Balogun received a red card and was sent off.
According to the current international rules, he should automatically miss the next match — that is, the game against Belgium. However, unexpectedly, FIFA made a lenient decision and postponed Balogun’s punishment for one year.
As a result, the player was able to participate freely in the most important match. Rumors are spreading that big politics lies behind this injustice and leniency.
According to insiders, the U.S. administration directly appealed to Gianni Infantino to protect its player. Well-known journalists emphasize that this decision was made to please Donald Trump.
The violation of general rules so that the star of the guest nation could play on the field caused sharp outrage in the football community. The Union of European Football Associations also did not remain indifferent and expressed strong objections to FIFA.
In the organization’s official statement, it was said that doubts remain about the clarity and fairness of the rules, and that such a decision completely undermines trust in the competition. Experts say that drawing a red line and then crossing it contradicts the principles of sport.
Even well-known figures in the football world are not hiding their astonishment at this event. Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter expressed concern about the organization’s future, while Jürgen Klopp reminded everyone that football rules must be equal for all.
Wayne Rooney even called Infantino’s decision a betrayal of sporting principles.
Currently, football fans around the world are watching to see how this injustice will be resolved.
Source: one.uz
